@article{alves_pairis-garcia_arruda_melo_gomes_hoshino_garbossa_2025, title={Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farms}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2297-1769"]}, DOI={10.3389/fvets.2024.1513141}, abstractNote={Timely and humane euthanasia is crucial for animal welfare on swine farms, yet challenges persist in its implementation, particularly in Brazil, where the responsibility often falls to caretakers lacking training. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of swine caretakers regarding euthanasia across non-integrated farms (ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 housed sows) and different experience levels (from less than a month to 40 years working with pigs). A total of 117 people directly working with pigs participated in a survey designed to evaluate their decision-making skills, euthanasia competencies, and understanding of Brazilian guidelines for euthanasia methods. Using Cluster analysis, we identified two distinct groups of caretakers: (1) Empathetic, self-sufficient, apathetic about euthanasia; and (2) Empathetic, knowledge seeker, uncomfortable with euthanasia. Both Clusters exhibited high empathy toward pigs and confidence in identifying sick animals but differed in their attitudes toward euthanasia. The risk factor analysis showed a tendency for younger respondents (under 36 years old) and those from smaller farms (less than 2,000 sows) were more likely to belong to Cluster 2, while older caretakers (over 36 years) and those working on larger farms (more than 2,000 housed sows) tended to belong to Cluster 1. Furthermore, a significant proportion of caretakers lacked knowledge of the euthanasia Brazilian guidelines, as evidenced by incorrect responses regarding acceptable euthanasia methods, such as performing cardiac perforation or using non-penetrating captive bolt guns on growing-finishing pigs. This study highlights the variability in caretaker experience and attitudes toward euthanasia, suggesting a critical need for targeted training programs and euthanasia protocols that address both emotional and practical aspects. Improved understanding of caretaker attitudes can enhance both human and animal welfare on farms.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Alves, Laya Kannan Silva and Pairis-Garcia, Monique Danielle and Arruda, Andreia Goncalves and Melo, Cecilia Archangelo Ferreira and Gomes, Nadia de Almeida Ciriaco and Hoshino, Roberta Yukari and Garbossa, Cesar Augusto Pospissil}, year={2025}, month={Jan} }
 @article{pereira_coelho_alves_santos_pereira_silva neta_ferreira_cunha_pairis-garcia_garbossa_2024, title={Dose of phytase from either<i> Aspergillus niger</i> or <i>Escherichia coli </i>on performance of nursery piglets}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2573-2102"]}, DOI={10.1093/tas/txae132}, abstractNote={Abstract Supplementing swine diets with phytase increases phosphorus release by approximately 50% from cereal phytates. The increase in phosphorus availability allows for a reduction in dietary phosphorus supplementation from mineral sources and decreases the environmental impact of pork production through a decrease in phosphorus excretion. Superdosing phytase has been reported to boost swine productivity, improve the digestibility of other nutrients, and mitigate the antinutritional effects of phytates. However, there are significant cost differences among phytase products. Bacterial phytases are considered more modern, often with a higher cost of inclusion. A study was conducted with 288 piglets that were 21 d of age and weighed 6.43 ± 0.956 kg. Pigs were divided into four groups. Each group of pigs was fed a different experimental diet varying in phytase source and level: fungal phytase (Aspergillus niger) at 500 FTU/kg of diet, fungal phytase at 2,000 FTU/kg, bacterial phytase (Escherichia coli) at 500 FTU/kg, and bacterial phytase at 2,000 FTU/kg. No differences were found for phytase sources or doses on productivity at 14 and 21 d postweaning. However, piglets supplemented with 2,000 FTUs/kg of phytase in the diet during the first 21 d of nursery exhibited a 5.8% better feed conversion (P = 0.02). An interaction between phytase source and dose was observed for average live weight and daily weight gain over the 42-d nursery period (P < 0.05). Supplementing the diet with 2,000 FTU/kg of fungal phytase improved daily weight gain and live weight throughout the experimental period compared to piglets supplemented with 500 FTU/kg of the same phytase source. Additionally, it resulted in better final weights compared to piglets supplemented with 500 FTU/kg of bacterial phytase. Phytase inclusion at 2,000 FTU/kg improved feed conversion by 2.07% over the 42-d nursery period. The most economically favorable feed conversion ratios were observed when supplementing the diet with fungal phytase at 2,000 FTUs/kg.}, journal={TRANSLATIONAL ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Pereira, Francisco Alves and Coelho, Flavio Aguiar and Alves, Laya Kannan Silva and Santos, Fernanda Mariane and Pereira, Erick Marlon and Silva Neta, Clarice Speridiao and Ferreira, Felipe Norberto Alves and Cunha, Ana Caroline Rodrigues and Pairis-Garcia, Monique Danielle and Garbossa, Cesar Augusto Pospissil}, year={2024}, month={Sep} }